The nourishment of babes

Artemus Jones bemoans the descent into acrimonious attacks on those who express unpopular views ... Wither free speech? ... Channel 7 "personality" and the manufactured hoopla on breast-feeding in public 

Koch World

IN a country in which the right to free speech is being dismantled on a daily basis - by the courts and draconian legislative schemes - the recent David Koch imbroglio provides an insight into the barbaric public culture that compels this ongoing dismantlement.

The Koch furore is a typical example of how free speech and public debate is being emasculated by social groups of self-styled victims who are incapable of rational discourse.

These groups, which appear to multiply daily, cannot tolerate the expression of views with which they disagree -and they respond with a degree of uncivilized animosity that is extraordinary.

Not surprisingly, the public espousal of views contrary to the current cannons of political correctness is becoming a rare occurrence.

After all, who would subject themselves to the torrent of abuse (for the most part online) that is the inevitable consequence of expressing a socially incorrect view?

Even twenty years ago, if a public figure or celebrity expressed a controversial opinion on a topic of public interest it would have generated a public debate conducted, for the most part, in a civilized manner.

Not so today. Such comments now give rise to outrage and harassment. Rational public debate has been abolished.

How did David Koch bring down upon himself the ire of the breast-feeding mothers of Australia?

He simply commented on an incident which occurred at a Queensland swimming pool, in which a mother was told to stop breast-feeding in public, presumably because it was contrary to the pool rules.

In Queensland conduct in public places is regulated more strictly and effectively than New South Wales.

Koch offered the opinion that, if breast-feeding were to occur in public, it should be done discreetly.

I think that is perfectly reasonable. After all, until 30 years ago breast-feeding in public did not occur. Even today, it is rare to see women breast-feeding in public indiscreetly.

Koch and his television program on Channel 7 were inundated with vicious on-line attacks which, for the most part, attributed to him views he does not hold and did not express.

Inevitably, the incident received saturation media coverage.

The Channel 7 studio in Martin Place was picketed by over a hundred indignant breast-feeding mothers, one of whom  accused Koch of "doing more damage than you could realise."

Of course the demonstration was organised on Facebook.

One of the demonstrators offered to breast-feed live on national television. Koch was called on to apologise, and no doubt the vituperation will continue. 

Upsetting for a TV presenter

IT would be easy not to feel much sympathy for Koch. After all, the Sunrise program panders to the lowest cultural denominator, and one could readily take a Menckenesque delight in observing that the very people who attacked and picketed Koch were, more likely than not, avid viewers of his program.

Both the TV personality and Channel 7 are probably quite pleased with the controversy.

It may well improve Sunrise's ratings. But, that would be to miss the point and also to sell Koch short.

In almost all cases where public figures or celebrities find themselves in Koch's position, they readily capitulate to the dictates of the mob.

This involves making an abject public apology (no matter how insincere) and endorsing the views of the trolls and tormentors. 

To his credit, Koch has refused to do this. Rather, he has reiterated his views and refused to apologise.

In fact, he has gone further. He has invoked the right to free speech in order to justify his comments and has invited his persecutors to debate the issue.

It is to be hoped that he, and others in a similar position, will resist the pressure to capitulate.

This is an important matter because only by individuals taking a principled stand can the current rotten state of affairs be remedied.

Actually, the situation is even more grave than it appears, given that the Commonwealth Attorney General is seeking to introduce legislation that would enable every potential victim group to have legal redress against anyone who offended them.

Koch may have been fortunate. He has only had to face abuse and misrepresentation. If Nicola Roxon's legislation had been in force he would also have had to defend lengthy and expensive legal proceedings.